Dahlia

Plant family

Daisy family (Asteraceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Very humid

Soil

Medium (loamy)

Nutrient requirement

Medium

Seeding distance

40 cm

Row spacing

40 cm

Seeding depth

5 cm

Instructions

Description

Dahlias, also known as georgines, are genus of plants within the composite family (Asteraceae). They are used as ornamental plants. Dahlias are suitable both as a garden plant and as a cut flower, and they come in many different colors. Regular plucking of wilted flowers encourages the formation of new flower buds. The bulb of the dahlia is even edible and can be cooked like potatoes, and the leaves can be used like spinach. Some species of dahlia can even grow up to 2 m high.

Growing tips

The tubers can be grown in advance from March, but can also be planted directly in the open ground, then the flowering starts about 1 month later. The tubers can also be soaked in water for one night before planting. Plant the tubers about 5 cm deep in the soil so that the stem remains still stick out. Place a flower support with the planting to tie the dahlia later, otherwise the heavy flowers can also snap off. After planting, initially keep the soil moist. The planting distance depends on the variety. Piquing leads to better branching and they grow bushy and dense. Dahlias are not hardy and must be wintered indoors. To do this, dig up the tubers and store them between 5-10°C. Remove withered flowers. Also good neighbors are perennials, autumn anemones, gladioli, hyacinths, vanilla flower, cosmea, scented stonewort, blood loosestrife, roses, tall stonecrop and ornamental grasses.